Day 22: Jesus Is Leaving You a Guide
Read John 16:12-15
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
Reflect
Did you drive before there was a GPS to guide us? For a short time in life, I was an insurance claims adjuster. Part of this job was driving to various claimants’ homes to inspect and estimate their property losses. I have no sense of directions, so would consistently get lost, even after routing my destination from a paper map. I was pondering this one-day and thought how much time and energy I used to waste driving around lost. Getting my first GPS changed my life. Often, we go through life’s journey trying to figure complex situations out on our own without any type of roadmap. We miss left turns, go down unnecessary winding streets, and can spend years on a dead end road. It’s like we’re looking at a paper Thomas Bros. map in the dark when Jesus has given a GPS that lights up and can direct us on our life’s journey. The Holy Spirit wants to guide us through all of our circumstances today and tomorrow, as we walk into the future. In verse 13, Jesus tells us the Spirit will guide us in all truth. The word “guide” in the Greek, hŏdēgĕō, is the word used for a guide who shows a traveler the safest course through an unknown country. This means Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be your Guide through the unknown twists, turns and decisions you need to make in life - especially when it’s unknown territory. He wants to show you the safest way to go. The Greek word for “all” is pas and it means: all, any, every, the whole, always, as many as, thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever. This word makes it pretty clear that you have access to this awesome Guide in anything and everything you are going through in life.
The Holy Spirit wants to guide us through all of our circumstances today and tomorrow, as we walk into the future.
Respond
What journey are you on in your life right now where you need guidance and wisdom for the safest and best course of action? Is it your marriage, kids, singleness, finances, career, a large project, what type of medical care to receive, addiction, emotional turmoil? The list can go on because there is a constant stream of situations in our lives where we need guidance in regards to which road to take. Of course, we know that it is important to include other wise people in our big decisions, but don’t leave out the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent to guide you in everything.
Today, thank the Lord for the Holy Spirit as your Guide. Talk to Him about the situation where you need direction. Then, sit and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Stay quiet and still for a bit as you begin to wait upon Him for direction. He may prompt you with an idea, clarity or someone you can talk to who will have good insight on what to do. To learn more about the guidance of the Holy Spirit, read the book of Acts. It’s the fifth book in the New Testament.